Ancient eons ago, in a burned
and divided land, warriors battled one another in tests of
strength and prowess. The art of combat and swordsmanship
became paramount and its practictioners well respected by
all. Many fought for gold or fame or titles, but a select
few wished simply to learn the art; to master the blade in
the dance of combat. Such begins the story of those known
only as the Blademasters.

From the four corners of Midnight Sun, recruits
traveled to the Spire of the Blademasters, which was said
to be in a forest near the Central Castle of the lands. They
came from near and far to try their hand against the best
of the best, and to learn. Those determined and patient enough
to endure the trials would possess the greatest and most fearsome
techniques in combat. The combination of sorcery and steel
was shunned, as technique was to be mastered, not memorized.
The Blademasters relied on their intelligence and strength
in combat, and were known for their honor and chivalry. They
were a proud order, devoted to mastering
the blade which was their life. Nowhere within the lands of
Midnight Sun was found a more fearsome warrior than the highest
of their ranks, the Grand Blademaster.

Over time, wars ravaged the young land and
evil swept over many civilizations. Wherever evil encroached,
the Blademasters were there, to battle it. They were fearsome
warriors, more than powerful than their allies had hoped,
or their enemies had feared. Forced to fight side by side
with sorcerers, steel and magic finally won the day. While
Blademasters respected other champions of order, such as the
priests, they wanted nothing to do with any Gods. Their faith
rested in their own power; their own skill. They were foremost
in battle against any who would oppose the sanctity of this
world, and were sometimes even more quick to jump and attack
evil than the priests.

History, however, shifted painfully for the
masters of the blade. Their enemies learned to devote all
efforts toward singling-out Blademasters, and to kill one
no matter the cost. Slowly at first, then at a horrifying
rate, the Blademasters were brutally eliminated and all but
wiped out of existence. The order was broken, tossed to the
winds. The world left to defend itself without their help.
Sorcerers and priests managed to rally together to protect
what little was left of the realms, but at great cost to themselves.
The world was safe for the time being, yet the loss of the
Blademasters was grieved by all.

After the war, the greatest of sorcerers
met in secret. As a final tribute to their fallen comrades
they cast a powerful spell over the Spire of the Blademasters.
The ancient Spire slowly faded out of sight, and was never
seen again by mortal eyes. Such was the condition set, that
until a new Blademaster walked under the Midnight Sun, the
Spire would remain hidden from all mortal beings in this realm.

Thus, the spell remained for hundreds of
years, and the Spire remained hidden along with it. Unbeknownst
to the outside world, the last two surviving Blademasters
received aid from a trusted priest and sorcerer to extend
their lives beyond what was mortally possible. Though old,
they kept their skills and knowledge alive, biding their time,
waiting for someone suitable to pass their secrets onto.

Eventually, one such as whom they were looking
for happened across the dwelling where the two old men lived.
They imparted to him all their knowledge and taught him the
ancient secrets of the blade which they had guarded for so
very long. When his training was complete, the old Masters
presented him with an ancient blade of the greatest of their
order. The instant the new Blademaster's hand grasped the
hilt of the old sword, a great resonant bell was heard throughout
the entire land as the spell was broken. The ancient Spire
once again took its place among the land, and the new Blademaster
took his place as its guardian.

The order rebuilt, the call once more goes
forth throughout the land. The masters of the blade reborn.
Those determined and patient enough to endure the trials,
may join the order. Seek out the young guardian, Bladen, and
bow to him.